Pierre Bourgogne

Pierre is an expert in smart specialisation strategies (S3) and systems, cluster development and in regional systems of strategic intelligence.

Between 2000 and 2006, he worked as the Director of Innovation to the Regional Council of Lorraine where, in particular, he developed a large action program on the dissemination of strategic intelligence (DECILOR) at a regional level. He re-introduced the Region of Lorraine in various European networks, notably IRE (Innovative Regions in Europe). He also led projects related to the regional innovation system –those included projects of companies, technological intermediaries, academic start-ups; to information mastering (strategic intelligence and knowledge management), and to the development of clusters and competitiveness poles.

Pierre was the representative of the regional authority for the creation of two competitiveness clusters in Lorraine: High tech metallic materials and Fibre materials between 2005 and 2006.

He participated in two thematic networks of the DG Enterprise of the European Commission: VERITE (Innovation management techniques) and BIG EAR (Technology transfer and valorisation of research). He was also member of the high-level expert group on the Regional Foresight. He also led the Regional Programme for Innovative Actions (DG Regional Policy) on Economic Intelligence and ICT.

Since he started to work as a consultant in 2007, he was involved in the design, evaluation and analysis of a number of initiatives for regional authorities in the EU and other countries. Some of the include Science park in Metz, France; Region of Silesia in Poland; Competitiveness Clusters Policy in Bretagne, France; Regional Innovation System-Cluster Policy in Basse-Normandie, France; Innovative Companies in France; Region of Agder NO; Santaka Valley Knowledge Clusters on Advanced Materials in Kaunas, Lithuania; Strategic Advisor for a Technological Intermediary on Fuel Cells and H2; Competitiveness Clusters Evaluation in France. Recently, he is involved in the support of the Region Champagne-Ardenne to elaborate its Smart Specialization Strategy (S3).

Pierre worked as the Executive Director of the Technological Pole of Auvergne (CASIMIR) in 1995 where, among other tasks, he was the Manager of the RIS Auvergne, co-financed by the European Commission (DG Regional Policy). In this position, he participated actively in the regional cluster policy: design, implementation, monitoring, internationalisation of different clusters in aeronautics, medical devices, cutlery and art table, and biotech.

Pierre also works for high-tech firms in different sectors, such as advanced materials, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, agro-food, metal works, bio-indication to help them in strategic decision-making and innovation strategies and processes. Previously he created two high-tech companies, SEPAREX in 1985, operates in process engineering (chromatography and super critical fluids), and ETAP in 1991, specialized in pre-clinical ethological applications for pharmaceuticals and agro food industries. He serves as the chairman of the board of directors of the latter.